Statement from the Bishops of North America on the Martyrdom of Hegumen Samaan Shehata and Terrorism in Egypt
From October 17-19, 2017, we, the Coptic Orthodox bishops of North America, gathered for our semi-annual conference in Titusville, Florida and discussed the acts of sectarian violence directed against our beloved brethren in Egypt. The most recent of these events resulted in the martyrdom of Hegumen Samaan Shehata from the Diocese of Beba and El Fashen. We joyfully commend the righteous soul of this father, the martyr Hegumen Samaan Shehata, to the Paradise of Joy, – …
The Project of the Martyrs, Nabil and Neseem
Our good Lord allowed our churches in Egypt to suffer terrorist attacks, such as those that impacted the churches of El Botrosiyya in Cairo, St. Mark Cathedral in Alexandria, and Mar Gergis (St. George) in Fanta, which led to the martyrdom of many and numerous others who were wounded. Despite all the pain we felt in those incidents, we saw the soothing hand of the Lord in protecting His Church and people. In the attack – …
Statement of H.E. Metropolitan Serapion on the Cowardly Bombings in Tanta and Alexandria
As the Heavenly Jerusalem receives today the blessed souls of our Martyrs of Alexandria and Tanta, let us pray for the peace of the Church and safety of HH Pope Tawadros and brothers and sisters in Egypt and for the wounded and the families of the Martyrs and confessors. I ask all our churches today to pray for our Martyrs and Confessors and their families and give message of faith and confidence in our Mighty – …
Metropolitan Serapion Speaks on the Barbaric and Cowardly Attacks on Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Cairo
In the wake of today’s barbaric and cowardly attacks on the ancient Coptic Orthodox Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, which is adjacent to the Great Cathedral of St. Mark and the Papal Residence, His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion delivered powerful and comforting remarks in the course of his homily at Holy Annunciation Coptic Orthodox Church. Use the links below to listen in English or Arabic. English Arabic
Q&A: I know Jesus loves me, but I’m suffering.
+ Q: I’m having some troubles dealing with suffering, and I don’t want just the “Jesus loves me” answer. Any thoughts or insights? Response: There were two other blogs where we discussed the problem of evil and how peoples’ choices are really the cause of most of our suffering. So I want to take a different line of meditation this time. Actually, this is a time of year, where that question is being meditated on by the – …
The Problem of Anger
In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, I observed that the most frequent response was that of anger. President Francois Hollande, for example, vowed to destroy ISIS while the hacking cooperative Anonymous declared it would mercilessly hunt ISIS members down. It was anger that led the ISIS to attack France and now it is the French people’s turn to give in to anger and strike back, all while ISIS plots to strike – …
Young Women and St. Marina
Today, the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the martyrdom of St. Marina the Holy Martyr of Antioch, a wonderful role model especially for young women. She was raised as an unbeliever by her parents until her mother died. Afterwards, she believed in our Lord Jesus Christ and vowed to remain a virgin for Him, but her father disowned her because of her faith, which ultimately resulted in her martyrdom. She shunned marriage, pleasure, fame, wealth, family, – …
Bishop Serapion and Clergy Commemorate Armenian Genocide
On Tuesday, April 14, His Grace Bishop Serapion and several reverend fathers of the Diocese participated in an ecumenical prayer service at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels commemorating the Armenian genocide of the 20th century in which 1.5 million Armenian Christians were killed under Ottoman Turk rule.Several speeches were given by speakers such as the Roman Catholic Archbishop Jose Gomez and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Updated List of the Names of the New Martyrs of Libya
Below, please find the most recent list of names of the 21 New Martyrs of Libya for use in prayers and publications. Milad Makeen Zaky Abanub Ayad Atiya Maged Soliman Shehata Youssef Shukry Younan Kirollos Boshra Fawzy Bishoy Astafanous Kamel Samuel Astafanous Kamel Malak Ibrahim Sinyout Tawadros Youssef Tawadros Gerges Milad Sinyout Mina Fayez Aziz Hany Abdel Mesih Salib Samuel Alham Wilson Ezzat Boshra Naseef Luka Nagaty Anis Gaber Mounir Adly Essam Baddar Samir Malak Farag – …
Ecumenical Prayer Service with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
His Grace Bishop Serapion and several members of the clergy will participate, God willing, in an Ecumenical Prayer Service organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange under the auspices of the Most Reverend Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange. The service will take place on Tuesday, March 3 from 7:30-8:30 pm at the Arboretum at Christ Cathedral (formerly Crystal Cathedral) located at 13280 Chapman Ave. in Garden Grove. From the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange’s – …
A Statement on the Martyrdom of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya
His Grace Bishop Serapion, along with the clergy and laity of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, offers prayers, condolences, and sympathy to the families of the 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya who received the crown of eternal life on February 13, 2015. We pray that the Lord may receive their pure souls in the Paradise of Joy and grant them eternal rest in the company of all of the holy saints who have – …
Festal Letter for the Glorious Feast of the Nativity 2015
My Beloved, the Blessed Children of the Holy Church, Christ is born, let us glorify Him! Christ is from heaven, let us go and meet Him! Christ on earth, let us exalt Him! It is my pleasure to wish all of you a blessed Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who came for our salvation. We celebrate God’s wondrous love for us, since He made Himself of no reputation – …